Friday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 10/4/2013

Florida's hurricane-free streak in jeopardy

Florida's record streak of nearly eight years without a hurricane strike may be in jeopardy. Tropical Storm Karen flirted with hurricane strength Thursday and could be on a collision course with the Panhandle. Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for 18 North Florida counties. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Tampa Bay Times.

Fewer job cuts announced in September

Planned job cuts in September dropped from a month earlier in Florida and the rest of the nation, according to a report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Florida job cuts announced in September reached 863, bringing the Sunshine State's total year-to-date layoffs to 15,968, the highest in the southern region. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]

Two years later, NASA workers still mourn end of shuttle

Up and down the Space Coast, a similar story is playing out for thousands of families. Though the initial shock of the shuttle's retirement has long faded, the grind to find meaningful work - and a comparable paycheck - remains a constant pursuit. [Source: Phys.org]

Small businesses fear bankruptcy from national park shutdowns

The closure of national parks from sea to shining sea isn't just a disappointment to the millions of tourists who visit each year. It's also a kick in the gut for the small-business owners who run the shops and kiosks that depend on the tourists to stay in business. [Source: NBC News]

Florida's top election official is starting his push to get election supervisors to back a plan to remove non-U.S. citizens from the state's voter rolls. But top Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, are already criticizing the move as a "political ploy" by Gov. Rick Scott to intimidate valid voters. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Skyscanner aims to grow Miami office[Miami Herald] Skyscanner, the fast-growing global online travel search company, has opened its Miami office, which will serve as headquarters for the U.S., Latin American and Canadian markets.

› From FM to AM: The latest evolution of local radio [South Florida Sun-Sentinel] What's the frequency, South Florida? If you're wondering why you're hearing some of your favorite AM sports and news talk stations on the FM dial lately, it's part of a recent migration that's changing the airwaves.

› Boca resort works to break out of time capsule [South Florida Sun-Sentinel] The Boca Raton Resort & Club is aiming to lure younger, tech-savvy travelers and local residents by shedding some traditional ways of doing business. Along the way, it also wants to ease its heavy reliance on high-end corporate meetings.